Ceramic Braces in Philadelphia
Ceramic braces use clear or tooth-colored brackets for a less noticeable fixed-braces option. At Art of Smile in Philadelphia’s Graduate Hospital neighborhood, you can discuss whether ceramic brackets fit your treatment needs and how they compare with other appliances.
Ceramic braces stay attached to the teeth and use a wire to guide movement. Clear aligners are removable trays. Both may appeal to patients who are concerned about appearance, but they involve different daily routines.
The phrase “clear braces” on this page means ceramic fixed braces. For removable trays, visit our Invisalign page.
You can also explore traditional metal braces and our wider range of braces options before your visit.
The difference between traditional and ceramic braces
In short, the only major difference between traditional and ceramic braces is the material. Traditional braces are made with metal brackets and use a metal wire. As the name suggests, ceramic braces are made with ceramic materials such as porcelain or zirconia.
Traditional and ceramic braces both operate in the same way, by adjusting pressure throughout treatment. Both types of braces also require the use of elastic bands, which attach the wire to the brackets. These similarities also result in comparable treatment times. Retainers will need to be worn after both types of braces in order to maintain your newly aligned teeth.
However, ceramic brackets are clear or tooth-colored, making them much more discrete than metal ones. Ceramic braces can also be equipped with transparent wires to make the appliance even less noticeable. On top of that, the elastic bands can also be clear or tooth-colored.
The effectiveness of ceramic braces
Because they are structurally and operationally similar to traditional braces, ceramic braces are also very effective. However, the effectiveness of ceramic braces depends on the severity of your orthodontic issues. In general, ceramic braces are ideal for adult patients without severe malocclusions.
Obviously, one of the biggest benefits is they are far less noticeable than traditional braces. The ceramic material can be clear or, in fact, tinted to match the existing color of the patient’s teeth to allow them to better blend. Ceramic braces also take less time to reach the patient’s orthodontic goals. The average length of time wearing ceramic braces is 18 to 36 months. It is important to note that alignment trays cannot fix severe orthodontic problems. These problems include malocclusion and jaw misalignment.
Interestingly enough, while it used to be that patients wanted the orthodontic work to blend in with their teeth, now patients have taken to using their braces as an expression of themselves choosing colors and options that make the braces standout as an accessory to their appearance.
Benefits of ceramic braces
• Have many benefits over traditional braces, some of which include:
• Better aesthetics: Your brackets, wires, and elastic bands will be much less noticeable than their metal counterparts.
• Smaller brackets: Includes smaller brackets, which again can improve the aesthetics of your appliance. Smaller brackets can also be more comfortable, causing less friction on the inside of your cheeks and lips. They also make it easier to keep your teeth clean.
• Comparable results: Can be just as effective as traditional ones, depending on the type of issue that needs correcting. Other aesthetic appliances, such as clear aligner trays may be more discrete, but they can also be less effective. Ceramic braces are a good middle ground for patients who want optimal results and a discrete appliance.
• Easy removal: Ceramic braces are easy to remove once your treatment is complete. The type of bonding agent we use also minimizes the possibility of damaging your enamel both during treatment and the removal process. Metal brackets require a different bonding agent that can be hard on your teeth.
The downsides to ceramic braces
While there are many benefits to ceramic braces there are also some potential downsides. It is up to each patient to make an individual decision as to which type of braces best meet their needs. One downside to ceramic braces is their propensity to stain. The actual ceramic brackets will never stain, unlike the elastic bands. We recommend limiting your consumption of darker foods and liquids during treatment. To prevent stains, you can also brush your braces and teeth immediately after a meal.
In many situations, the cost of ceramic braces can be more than that of traditional braces. Another drawback is with the additional cost one might think they are more durable but that is not the case. In fact, they are far less resilient than metal. The glue used is much stronger to hold the brackets in place and in some cases, once the treatment is completed and the brackets removed, this adhesive has been known to stain tooth enamel.
Also, the size of the brackets used in ceramic braces is considerably larger than those used in traditional treatment. While this might not seem important, it does create several issues. One is, it makes brushing and flossing more complicated in that they take up more room and are harder to brush and floss around. They can also irritate the gums and inside of the cheek more readily than traditional treatments. Swollen and receding gums are not uncommon because the teeth and gums are harder to reach with a standard brush.
Discuss ceramic braces in Philadelphia
Visit us at Art of Smile – Center for Cosmetic Orthodontics to find out if ceramic braces are right for you or your family! Call (215) 800-0015 to schedule a consultation appointment today!
Use our braces and oral hygiene guide as a starting point for care questions. Your own treatment instructions take priority.
See our orthodontic cost guide for quote questions and our financing page for payment and insurance information.
Contact Art of Smile to arrange a consultation at 1901 Christian St, Philadelphia, PA 19146.